Boswells Blog

The skin is the largest organ in our bodies—a protective sheath primed to endure a variety of types of daily wear, even in the face of harsh elements and the onslaught of common household chemicals. And yet, despite all that our skin does for us, sometimes it seems remarkably easy to forget to give it a little of the TLC it deserves. The key to beautiful looking skin is, after all, healthy, happy skin, and so we’ve put together a few tips to help you keep your skin in great, gorgeous shape.

Looking After Your Skin

Your skin’s needs, rather unsurprisingly, are very much tied to factors that inform your wider health. If you eat well, keep hydrated and get plenty of rest, you’re already well on your way to having nice, healthy skin.

Here Comes the Sun

Taking excellent care to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging effects is also an absolute must, as exposure to the sun’s rays can prematurely age your skin, provoke existing skin conditions and, most dangerously, put you at risk of melanoma.

In addition to applying a UVA and UVB sunblock that’s spf 30 or higher, when the sun is out in-force, you might want to consider getting your hands on some lower spf products for daily wear on those less obviously sunny days. If this sounds like a lot of extra hassle, worry not. There are actually a significant number of fantastic, skin-friendly products available on the market, from make-up to moisturisers, that offer you daily sun protection, and make it that little bit easier to incorporate into your morning routine. We suggest taking as look at what Natio, Avene, Caudalie and La Roche Posay have to offer in this respect, as well as a general sunscreen for those brighter days.

Give Your Skin Some Air

Whenever possible, give your skin a little air. It can be easy to get carried away with applying every product going, but letting your pores breathe overnight and not going too overboard with lots of heavy foundation and creams during the day can give your skin’s health a real boost. Instead of a night cream, why not try the Dr. Hauschka Night Serum, which promotes your skin’s renewal while you sleep. Keep an eye out, also, for products that boast the word noncomedogenic, as these won’t clog your pores.

Happy skin will also welcome a little extra, topical hydration, such as a daily moisturiser or a misting spray (or both), as well as a good washing/cleansing regimen, which should be determined by your skin type.

Things to Consider Avoiding

There are also a couple of things to think about avoiding in order to keep your skin looking and feeling fantastic. Smoking, for example, diminishes the flow of oxygen to the skin and reduces its moisture level, leaving the skin dry, tired and ultimately less youthful looking (our Pharmacy offers Stop Smoking Support if you need a helping hand). Similarly, we suggest avoiding products that are bogged down with lots of synthetic ingredients, such as parabens. Products that contain alcohol can also have a drying effect, which is worth taking into consideration when picking out what to put on your skin.

Caring for Your Skin Type

There are four categories that are commonly used to describe the condition of your skin: normal, dry, oily and combination. You may also have sensitive skin in addition to any of these skin types.

Normal

If your skin's condition is normal it basically means that your skin’s natural balance is pretty good—not too oily, not too dry—and it should be relatively easy to care for. We suggest finding a good cleanser, toner and moisturiser that you’re comfortable with to keep your skin in top condition. Dr Hauschka's Facial Toner and the Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream Light are both great for normal condition skin.

Oily

If you have oily skin you may find that you’re quite prone to acne and other blemishes (as enlarged pores can easily become clogged with dirt and make-up), as well as a shiny complexion. Your skin is incredibly smart, and if it detects that it's too dry it will actually increase its oil production, so avoiding products that will dry the skin (such as oil-free or alcohol based products) is generally wise with this skin type.

Combination

If you have combination skin you more than likely have all of the issues of both dry and oily skin. Combination skin usually entails an oily forehead, nose and around the cheeks, and tightness elsewhere on your face. As a result, you may need to care for different parts of your face in different ways. A regular cleansing routine and a light moisturiser are a good starting point. Why not try Dr. Hauschka's Melissa Day Cream, which will calm and hydrate oily and dry areas of skin, respectively.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can include skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis as well as allergic reactions to beauty products and a general sensitivity to harsh weather conditions. Sensitive skin may need plenty of extra care, especially when it comes to choosing skin care products that are going to be kind to it. We suggest trying fragrance free, hypoallergenic products, as well as products that are an emollient, as this will have been designed with soothing your delicate skin in mind.

Bear in mind that products that might trigger a sensitive skin reaction will vary from person to person, and from time to time even those skin care products designed for delicate skin may even be the culprit. If you're at all unsure, why not pop into our Pharmacy for a little guidance?

After the awful English winter weather comes the problem of dry skin. Too much wind, having the heating on all day, and not enough sun means your skin can feel uncomfortable and lacking in moisture. With nicer weather on the way as spring approaches, here are 5 tips on how to get your skin healthy again and ready for summer.

Moisturise

You should moisturise all year round, but it’s especially important after the harshness of winter. Continue to exfoliate and moisturize your body through the winter months to give your skin a boost. A-Derma’s Exomega Emollient Balm is an ideal post-winter moisturiser; it’s been designed for dry skin and it’s fragrance and paraben free.

Reduce length of hot showers and baths

Prolonged hot showers and baths remove the natural oils from your body, reducing the moisture levels in your skin. Taking shorter, cooler baths and showers will help to prevent too much moisture loss. Always remember to moisturise after baths and showers as well, to replace the water your skin will have lost.

Turn the heating down – or even off

It’s understandable that the heating is on during winter, but reducing the humidity of a room reduces the moisture in your skin. When the temperatures outside increases a bit, try to reduce the heat in your home and layer up instead. This is also a good way to save money on your household bills.

Take vitamins regularly

Vitamins are essential to having a healthy body, especially for keeping skin in good condition. Ensure that you take vitamins regularly; also ensure that you eat more foods containing vitamin C, such as oranges, as vitamin C helps keep skin moisturised. Jason Organic Vit E Cream also contains vitamin E, topping your levels up even as you moisturise.

Reduce Dehydration

Lack of moisture in the skin is caused by dehydration. Turning the heating down and taking shorter showers will reduce the amount of moisture your skin loses during the winter, but you also need to increase the amount of water you take in. Drink regularly throughout the day to make sure you’re consuming enough.

You should also consider eating more fish, especially oily fish like salmon and mackerel. The Omega 3 fatty acids in these fish help your body to absorb water, making you more efficient at replacing the moisture you lose.

Autumn has taken a firm hold and we’re now well on our way towards colder days and longer nights. The good news is that this means we’re also well on our way towards Christmas. But winter is definitely bad news for your skin. Chapped lips and dry hands can afflict us all, so we’ve put together a guide to keeping your skin healthy and hydrated until spring.

Moisturise

Even when you think your body is protected by all your layers of clothes during winter, you still need to moisturise it every day. This is especially true for exposed areas of skin, such as your face and your hands. Use a hydrating body wash or apply a moisturizer after your bath for best effect.Top pick: Dead Sea Magik Moisturiser

Exfoliate

Nourish your skin

During winter your skin will be exposed to changes in temperature, especially when you step outside. That’s what cause dryness. To counter the effects of these temperature changes you should nourish your skin with a lotion or serum.

Heal your lips

One of the most unpleasant things about winter is dry, crackedlips. Choose an efficient lip balm or lip butter to shield your lips during the day. You could even put on your lip balm at night and keep it on your lips all night long.Top pick: Anything from the Badger lip balm range

Change your skincare routine

If you’re only using one skincare routine for the whole year winter is the best time to start a new one. Try to build a routine adapted to the weather and to your skin type, taking care to choose one that will help to moisturize your skin.

Hydrating face mask

Your face gets a lot of exposure to the cold, so using a hydrating mask during winter can give your skin a real boost. Even better, you can take advantage of the time your mask is on to relax.Top pick: Dead Sea Magik Mud Mask

Take a warm bath or shower, not a hot one

If you use water that is too hot it will only make your skin dryer. Even though a hot shower might feel good when it’s cold, try turning the temperature down a bit to help your skin hold on to its natural moisture.

Nourish your hands and nails

Along with your face your hands are going to be exposed most to the cold. Try a moisturising hand cream to hydrate your hands, nails and heal your cuticles.Top pick: Bronnley Hand & Nail Cream

Bonus tip - Drink plenty of water and get proper nutrition

What you eat during winter also has an impact on your skin. Eat foods like grapefruit, broccoli, and chocolate which contain Vitamin D, K and B and skin-smoothing compounds to give your skin the best possible care this season. You also need to drink water to preserve your skin from dryness.

Summer is here and we want to let our skin breathe,look great and be healthy. If you’re planning to go on holiday somewhere sunny and hot then it’s even more important to give your skin a break, and do everything you can to help it resist the sun, the heat and everything else that can damage it. Here are some summer beauty tips for you and your skin.

1. Hydrate yourself: Probably one of the most important notes for summer is to hydrate not only yourself but also your skin. Always take a bottle of water every time you go out and find the best skincare to hydrate your skin whether you have dry, oily or a mixed type of skin. You can also use a facial spray mist when you need to refresh at home or at the office. Avene’s Eau Thermale, for example, will hydrate your face without ruining your make-up!

2. If you want to use make-up this summer, you should go for matte and waterproof products that will last even when it’s hot. You should also try to avoid thick foundation and use a cover stick as well as a BB or a CC cream for your daily make-up routine. These types of cream are lighter and will let your skin breath during summer. Try the Wala Tinted Day Cream to moisturise your skin and give it a perfect and natural finish for summer.

3. Don’t forget to use a sunscreen even when you don’t plan to spend lots of time in the sun. Choose your sunscreen depending on your skin type; for example, if your skin is really fragile then choose one with no less than a high SPF protection such as factor 50. You can also buy skincare and tinted moisturiser with SPF protection to stay protected all day long. Pierre Fabre have a complete sun cream protection range for all skin types, even the most sensitive. Find the best for you whether you want oil, a stick or body milk.

4. Heal your feet before and during summer: Being subjected to heels, sandals, and wedges will probably damage your feet during summer so you have to take care of them. You can use different types of cream for your feet, but most importantly remember to moisturise. You can even use coconut oil, as it removes impurities and moisturises dry skin if you leave it on overnight. Alternatively take a foot bath with some salt to help you relax after a long summer day.

5. Body scrubbing can be really helpful during summer. A scrub removes dry and old skin cells and will also help eliminate toxins and encourage new skin cells to surface. It’s also the best way to make your tan last longer and keep your skin glowing all summer. Bomb Cosmetics surely have the best scented body scrub and in addition to the smell, they will leave your skin perfectly smooth.

6. Self-tan: If you want to prepare your skin for holidays or to give your tan a head start before summer, think about self-tan. You can use a cream, a gel or even a touch of bronzer on your cheeks can do the trick. Rimmel's Bronzer range is the perfect one for summer to perfectly match your skin tone for a fresh and natural finish.

You now have everything you need to start the summer and enjoy your holidays with these helpful beauty tips and perfect products for the season!